HOW TO MAKE MO^'ET BY HORSES. 43 



further, and admit tliem to be very difficult of attain- 

 ment, and for this reason : so long as from a common 

 age they are fit for use, they are usually used ; and 

 when too old to use, I should say are too old, in a 

 general way, to promise fine stock ; but there are 

 circumstances constantly arising to such mares, as 

 bring them within the prudent scope of the breeding 

 purchaser's price. First, direct accidents, arising 

 from blows, cuts, falls, &c. ; then come the accidents, 

 or rather, the eff'ects of over- exertion, or the natural 

 failing brought on by exertion of long continuance. 

 Such results must, sooner or later, arise from such 

 causes, however naturally sound a horse may be; 

 and with the exception of race-horses, no animal is 

 more exposed to such catastrophe than the hunter. 

 "When such do occur, and the breeder contemplates 

 purchasing a mare so afflicted, as on her greatly de- 

 pend his hopes of sound progeny, it is not enough 

 merely to know the mare has " broken down," 

 thrown out a hopeless spavin, or has become lame 

 in her feet ; let him carefully examine that the 

 break- down has not arisen from badly-formed or 



